02.23.13 Dessert. Cupcake Anarchy (Located in New Berlin, WI but delivery provided)

Cupcakes have made their amazing little niche in the food world lately.  I don't even know when this all started but what comes to mind are Sex and the City and the Magnolia bakery.  Also, who doesn't know Sprinkles?  I did a Google search "when did the cupcake craze start?" to see if I could get any background on this topic.  The top link was a Wikipedia page for Magnolia Bakery.  Per this page, it stated that Magnolia Bakery was "credited with starting a 1990s 'cupcake craze.'"  So, I guess that's the answer... because Wikipedia is the all knowing reference right?

Cupcake Delivery

I've noticed cupcake places popping up in the past couple of years here in good ol' Milwaukee.  We often see these places when we drive around but sometimes we miss out on the smaller companies that we only hear about via social media, word of mouth or via ads here and there in the Shepherd Express.  So, thought I'd blog about my cupcake experience with the Cupcake Anarchy. 

Through the blogging and foodie networking, I noticed a name that stood out, Cupcake Anarchy.  It made me smile and so thought I'd check it out.   Saw that the company was local and they had a bunch of great options for cupcake flavors.  It just so happened that I was going to have a gathering at my home with some friends and so I decided to place an order for some mini cupcakes.

Apple Pie, Brownie and Bacon Maple Whiskey

I got in contact with Karen, the Cupcake Anarchist, to see what she offered.  I wanted to get two dozen cupcakes because sometimes, people don't want a full cupcake but still want a cupcake ya know?  And, who's going to only take half a cupcake at a party? Most won't.  And, it's time consuming to see who would do a "splitsies" with you.  Anyway, let me get of my tangent.  I asked her if she could do a mix and match for the two dozen mini cupcakes since there is a minimum number needed for the cupcakes (a dozen for the large and two dozen for the mini's).    She said she could and I left it up to her to pick the cupcakes to include in the two dozen.  I can sometimes be indecisive and with the number of flavors, I was struggling.  So, I left it up to her since she knows the cupcakes the best.   Prior to her deciding, she asked me if there were any allergies she had to be concerned about which was thorough and considerate of her. 

Vegan Chocolate, Coconut Cream and Cookie Dough

I provided her almost two weeks in advance notice for it which was plenty of time for her to plan.  Per the Facebook site, one week notice is requested for orders of two dozen or more and two weeks for custom cupcakes... yes, I said custom.  In addition to four categories (traditional, seasonal, anarchist and booze-infused cupcakes) of almost 90 cupcakes, you can request a cupcake of your own creation.  Something to also note is that they offer vegan and gluten-free options.   Karen got in touch with me and we set plans for her to deliver to my home the morning of the event.  Delivery is always a nice perk.  The boxes were nice because the cupcake had their own little slots that prevented them from sliding around and the box was tall enough that there wasn't a risk for smearing the frosting.  Some were so snug in their house though that they were a tad hard to get out but that's no biggie because if worse came to worse, cut into the box a tad.  The flavors she chose for me was a surprised and I didn't find out until I received them.  The flavors that she included in the dozen were apple pie, vegan chocolate chocolate, bacon maple whiskey, coconut cream, cookie dough and brownie.  There was four of each flavor.
 
I had about nine ladies over for a little gathering and the cupcakes were our dessert.  I asked those that ate the cupcakes, to provide some feedback on them.  So, here we go, let's get into the nitty gritty of the Cupcake Anarchy mini cupcakes. 

We will review the cupcakes in an order that I placed them in regard to which I liked the most to the one I liked the least out of the group.   But, I will include some thoughts that were provided to by the group as well.

Cupcake 1: Coconut cream
Our thoughts:  Definitely the one that people enjoyed the most.   Obviously though, if you don't like coconut, you might not find it you favorite.  But, even if you don't like coconut, I would recommend trying this one because it is delicious.  It's not too sweet or overwhelmed with coconut flavor.  I neglected to try the cake and frosting separately so not completely sure if there is coconut in just the cake, just the frosting, or both. 

Cupcake 2: Cookie Dough
Our thoughts:  The swirl to the frosting is pretty.  When you cut into the cupcake, you can definitely see that it's filled with cookie dough.  This was my second favorite.  I'm not always the biggest fan of cookie dough desserts but this one I enjoyed quite a bit.  Definitely a sweeter cupcake than the coconut cream.  This is a cupcake that I would like a mini versus a full one unless I had a nice cup of coffee to eat with it.  I can see this one being a popular among the masses.

Cupcake 3:  Vegan Chocolate
My thoughts:  I struggled with placing this one at third instead of second.  I think the main reason cookie dough beat this one out is due to how pretty and fun cookie dough looked.  What I enjoyed about the vegan chocolate cupcake is that they were nice and moist and the cake was a little more spongy versus a more dense cupcake.  This cupcake wasn't too sweet either which surprised me.  I'm typically not a huge fan of chocolate on chocolate but it was sooooo good, I had to have a half of another one.  (Yes, I did a splitsie and left the other half hanging only because it was my party and I could do what I want.  I actually broke all my rules by cutting them all in half because I wanted people to get the opportunity to try a little of each flavor and not feel bad about hogging all the cupcakes.)

Cupcake 4: Apple Pie
Our thoughts:  This one was another favorite for the group.  This one was so cute with its piping work and the apples on top.  Apples were also in the cupcake.  The cake itself was drier than the other ones.  But, we all found it rather enjoyable with this specific cupcake because, as Katie best stated, "it reminds her of an actual pie crust."  This cupcake is one that lives up to its flavor and name.  Definitely not only tastes like an apple pie but has all the textures of one including the fresh apple compote that it was filled with.

Cupcake 5: Brownie
My thoughts: Definitely had a struggle with where to put brownie.  Apple pie beat it out because of how pretty it looked.  I'm a sucker for presentation.  Brownie was oh so delicious but a little too rich and sweet for my liking.  It definitely wasn't bad and I almost feel bad placing is in fifth of six cupcakes but I think it's more of my bias of preferring fruit desserts over chocolate.  Also, if I do have something chocolatey, I prefer it to be less rich.  As said with the cookie dough one, it would pair very well with a cup of Coffee or glass of milk.  It was a treat to have the pieces of brownie because of the texture it added to it.  It was a little more chewy which I love about a good brownie.  The frosting was oh so good.  I had the childlike urge to lick the frosting off of all the brownie ones.  But, that definitely would have crossed the "I do what I want" line.

Cupcake 6:  Bacon Maple Whiskey
I wanted to love this one because if you know me, I love me some bacon.  The bacon was surprisingly still crisp.  And, when you take a nice even bite of the cake and frosting, it's actually pretty good.  But, the whiskey was definitely present and a stronger flavor than I would have liked.  I enjoy a whiskey here and there so that's why i was surprised I didn't love it in a cake.   It makes me think that it would a "guy friendly cupcake."  Could be a nice little valentine's present for a guy or even as a grooms cake if people go the cupcake route.  The maple frosting was delicious and I would be interested in having this on an apple flavored cake or even a nut flavored cake.  Perhaps if the bacon was crumbled over the top to disperse it out a little more, you can get a little bit in each bite  Definitely wouldn't be as pretty but with this cupcake, having even amounts in each bite would be nice. 

Brownie and Cookie Dough Splitsies

Overall, the cupcakes were very good.  The actual cake part of the cupcakes was inconsistent in regard to how moist they were.  Some were dry and some were perfect.  I'm definitely not a cupcake connoisseur but this was the group consensus.  From my mini cupcake experience from different smaller businesses and bakeries, I've noticed that it's tough to have consistently moist cupcakes.  The common trend with the cupcakes we had from Cupcake Anarchy were that the ones that had filling in the middle had a cake that was more moist.  But, I did have a few cupcake left over and put them in a Tupperware together and had them the next day.  They were definitely all a tad more moist.  Perhaps it was because of the container they are kept in?  I'm not quite sure.  Could it have been when they were made?  Or, I did see an episode of DC cupcakes and they did comment that if the batter is over mixed, it could be dry.  I'm not much of a baker other than things out of the box baking.  I prefer the decorating part versus the measuring and mixing.

Tower of Cupcakes

Despite them being a little dry there were a lot of good things that would make me want more. The flavors and all the flavor options are impressive.  I can't speak for all of them but the ones we had lived up to their names and what flavors they had in them.  The best part of the cupcakes was the frosting.  I could have eaten the frosting off of all of the cupcakes.  They had such great flavor, weren't too sweet and the consistency was divine.  It wasn't hard, dry or gritty.

Would I get cupcakes again?  Definitely.  I would try the regular cupcakes versus the minis.  There are so many fun flavors and options that it wants you to keep coming back.  Also, being a follower of Cupcake Anarchy on Facebook is a tease due to all the awesome pictures and the seasonal cupcakes that are offered are always fun.   I would recommend following them if you enjoy some food eye candy.  It definitely reflects the art side of food.

Do yourself a favor and check Cupcake Anarchy out.  Cheers!

Cupcake Anarchy

 https://www.facebook.com/cupcakeanarchy

info@cupcakeanarchy.com

(262) 844-8712

5.17.12 Dinner. Odd Duck (Bay View. Milwaukee, WI)

Main dining area from seated at the bar.

One of my co-workers/friends, Renee, and I thought we'd start studying together for our certification exams as an external motivator.  Of course, we knew that food would have to be somehow involved.  I'm sure that most of you agree that food is a good motivator.   On our first study date, we chose from a list of restaurants we want to try out and Odd Duck in Bay View won.   


We arrived at Odd Duck around 7:00pm.  The hostess asked if we had a reservation, which we didn't, and offered us immediate seating at the bar for possible full food service.  We decided on taking two spots at the bar for a beverage while we waited for a table to open up.  She estimated a 30 minute wait.  Since we had time, we thought some wine would be appropriate.

Outdoor back patio.

Seated at the bar.

We sat at the bar for about 15 minutes prior to being called for our table.  This allowed us some time to take in our surroundings.  When you first walk in, you'll notice the bar on the left and the low top tables with fun blue chairs on the right.  There were two tops and other larger groups where the tables were pushed together.  The dining area itself is cozy and there is about 20 tables or so.  The tables were occupied by various groups of people, some older couples, mid 20-early 30s groups of friends but not many under 20s in these parts.  The colors are cool and light wood makes up the trim and beams where there isn't, what I believe to be, cream city brick...  but I'm not certain.  When you pass the bar, you will see the pick up window on the left.  During a bathroom break, I spied the outdoor patio in the back of the building.  There are about 8-10 tables in the back patio.  It's fenced off to allow some privacy from the business of the area.  Various works of art dress the walls and there is a fun border along the wall of the font of the space that has various animals painted in front of a city block.   And, you can't really miss the various antlers that are hung up.  I, myself, don't know the appeal that people have for antlers but, that may be the city gal in me. 

While drinking our wine, Renee chose the Syrah ($10?) while I had the Malbec ($8), we checked things out to see what we'd be in the mood for.  I noticed a bar snack list on a chalkboard right by the bar and it reminded they have a happy hour, Monday through Friday 4-6pm which includes drink deals and bar snack deals.  We all need a happy hour or two after a long day of work right? Right.  The bar snack list included various types of boiled eggs, fried pickles and other goodies.  All cost $3 for each order.  We thought it'd be cool to try one out while we waited since we were already super hungry prior to getting to the restaurant.

Beet pickled egg and curry and jalapeno egg.

Bar Treat Details: 
We decided on the beet pickled eggs. We were offered the opportunity to either get two of the same egg or a mix and match.  Of course, we picked the mix and match.  Can't pass that up.  We chose the curry and jalapeno pickled egg to accompany the beet one.  I'm not the biggest fan of curry but Renee likes it a lot and so I sucked it up and decided to be adventurous.  ($3)

Our Thoughts: 
The eggs came split in half and over a drizzle of hot sauce... tasted similar to a Tabasco brand hot sauce with a more vinegar bite to it. The presentation was simple yet beautiful.  The colors of the eggs were just striking.  Reminded me of a psychedelic Easter egg hunt... could have been due to the lighting that came through the place.  The eggs were delicious and we both agreed it was a good call to try them.  You, of course, have to like hard boiled eggs and pickled food to try it.  But, I would recommend them.  The beet was the first one I tried.  Had a little spice to it which I think came from the hot sauce but without as much sauce on it, was still spicy.  The sweetness of the beet was very subtle and was more of an aftertaste that was overpowered by the tart vinegar flavor.  The curry and jalapeno, in my opinion, wasn't nearly as spicy as the beet one.  But, like I said, may be the hot sauce.  The curry was subtle and added a nice flavor to the egg.  It was Renee's favorite.  But, she's the curry fan. 

Now let's get to the real thing.  Odd Duck's dinner menu includes small plates, large plates and meats and cheeses.  Mid dinner, we had asked our server, who was oh so friendly and what Renee and I consider the typical fun and nice Bay View persona, how often the menu is changed.  She informed us that it can change anywhere from one item to up to 5 from one day to another.  On the weekend, there are usually a lot more changes.  You can't ever really tell I guess.  We asked this because on the site the restaurant boasts that they use local ingredients.  When you do that, you have to roll with the seasons.  That always makes for a fun menu.  To me, using local means things are fresh and different.  Read more about the restaurant flare and inspiration on the site as you please.  If I go into it here, the blog will be much longer than it will already be.  God, I love talking about food.  And, on that note, let's get rolling to the good stuff.  


We both decided that sharing some small plates would be the best choice for us because it will allow us to try a bunch of different things in one sitting.  We each picked our top four.  We were all the same except for one which we then agreed upon after much deliberation (really only less than a minute).  We ordered.  The plate were brought out one plate out at a time.  Perfectly spaced out, I might add.  Here we go!  Listed in the order that they came out.  (I don't have pricing for them... the menu on the site may not have these dishes as they do change frequently).

Arugula salad with beet-horseradish puree.

Details:
Arugula salad, horseradish-beet puree, roasted beets, house goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette, garlic tuile.  

Our thoughts:
First off, what the heck is a tuile? you might ask...  If you didn't, give yourself a pat on the back.  I sure as heck learned something new.  A tuile, per wikipedia, "is a thin, crisp sweet or savory cookie or wafer made of dough or cheese."  At first glance, it's a colorful fun presentation.  This plate included both gold and red beets.  I've had them before, but noticed the differences between the two types a little more with this dish.  The gold is more firm and not as sweet as the red.  The sweetness of the beets offsets the bitter taste of the arugula quite nicely.  The vinaigrette provides a nice tart flavor and the cheese a creaminess.  I love dishes and food that are able to hit the different spots of your mouth to create a roller coaster of flavor.  Maybe the combination of my love for science and art lead to my love of food... who knows.  This was a great starter.  Light, yet flavorful.  The tuile itself was small but Renee noticed it enough to comment on it... "I don't know what that crisp thing was but it's really good."  Big flavor in a small package. 


Details: 

Moroccan spiced beef tenderloin skewers.

Moroccan spiced beef tenderloin skewers with caramelized onions and a pepper/chili oil.

Our thoughts: 

Before even tasting it, the smells made my mouth water.  The serving came with three skewers and caramelized onions draped over them.  Cutting through the meat was easy enough with the provided butter knife... like cutting through butter.  The temperature at which the meat was prepared was perfect.  For as small as the cut was, you really wouldn't have to cook it long and both Renee and I thought they got it right on the dot.  There was a darker pink to the middle.  So those that like it well done, close your eyes and just try it.  I wasn't too familiar with Moroccan spices prior to this dish but I definitely tasted a prominant presence of cumin.  The caramelized onions added a sweet buttery flavor to the meat as well.  Oh, and don't forget a nice little sweep of the chili oil to give it that little kick.  But, watch out, the spice provides a delayed onset of heat that kicks you in the back of your mouth.  So, spice alert... spice wusses, don't go for the extra sweep of the oil from the plate.  Great flavor all around.  Renee and I both agreed, after we tried them all, that this was our favorite plate.  

(blurry) Grilled vegetable flat bread.

Details:
Grilled vegetable flat bread with some sort of cheese (I failed to make a note of it) and minted yogurt.


Our thoughts:
At first bite, we wished this had come before the meat.  The meat dish was a hard one to follow as it was so full bodied in it's flavor.  We both initially said it was OK.  As I continued to eat it, I liked it more with each bite.  I think it's because my mouth became further detached from the taste of the meat... sad.  But yes, the flat bread had a light vegetable flavor.  The creaminess of the cheese was the first to stick out and then later the tartness of the mint flavor lightened it up.  The flat bread crust was a little overcooked but, the crunch to the bread added a nice texture.   I liked this fact since I rarely like eating anything that's all mush.  So, not just flavor, but texture is important.  Note, this one is definitely a hearty and filling plate.


Details: 

Grilled prawns, yellow jasmine rice and green curry.

Grilled prawns with yellow jasmine rice and (coconut?) green curry.


Our thoughts: 
The prawns served whole and in the shell was nice presentation.  Although, I think the head may make some nervous.  It came with two prawns served over a sauteed rectangle of yellow jasmine rice, served over the green curry.  I can't recall if it said it was a curry with coconut but it definitely had a creamy appearance and a coconut flavor to it.  The prawn itself was simply grilled allowing just the natural seafood flavor to come through.  Once dipped in the curry, you get the nice combination of flavors.  I've noticed that the curries that I've tolerated more are those that are cooked with coconut milk.  The rice had a nice texture to it since it was, what appeared to be, sauteed on both sides. It provided a little crunch here and there.  But, it may have had some curry in it as well.  I only had a few bites of it because of this.  But, Renee loved it.  Who knows, my dislike of curry could all be psychological, who knows.  I'm slowly expanding my horizons.  


Other things to consider:
-Street parking only.   Some metered and some not.
-May be a wait on Thursday nights and the weekends.  But, call ahead and see if you can make a reservation.  414-763-5881
-Service was great.  Nice bartenders, nice hostesses and nice servers (at least the one we had). 
-Casual feel to the restaurant but, may not be the most accomodating to larger groups (10+ people) during busy times.
-Option for outdoor seating.
-Their site says they provide options for "vegans, vegetarians and omnivores."
-Dinner only kind of joint (after 5pm) but also open for just beverages.
-Offers desserts, no menu for this, just verbally provided by your server.
-Oh so changing menu, so, despite a review that might be amazing, you have to go soon to make sure that option is available.  


This first visit was a good one.  They might even rank as one of my tops... but, then again, I have various lists based on categories.  But, definitely a must.  The dishes were great for people to share and try different things.  I was fortunate to go with Renee on this first round as we both had similar tastes and aren't too picky.  But then again, it got me to try out something I say I don't care for.  Who knows, I may be turning over a new leaf... we'll see.  There were so many good dishes that I wanted to try out too.  That's the one downfall to changing menu's, it might not be there the next time you go.  But, this may be a brilliant business strategy to get people to come back again, and often.  I know it's worked for me.  I almost want to go every week!  To conclude, Renee and I decided that all restaurants should have small plates as an option.  A taste here and there is great. I often like the idea "quality, not quantity." Unless, it's a situation where you're so hungry you think you could eat a whole cow.  But at Odd Duck, the large plates may provide for that.  Just food for thought... pun totally intended.  Cheers!

Odd Duck

2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53207

(414) 763-5881

www.oddduckrestaurant.com

OPEN

Kitchen: Monday - Saturday 5pm - 10pm

Bar: Monday - Thursday 3pm - 1am

Friday - Saturday 3pm - 2am

10.21.11 Dinner. Centro Cafe (Riverwest. Milwaukee, WI)

It was a nice Fall evening.  Christina and I had plans for dinner.  Her choice.  We ended up a Centro Cafe in Riverwest.  This place is a hidden gem!  Definitely has a quaint feel to it.  This was my first time here and I was surprised to see how the inside looked compared to the exterior.  It was a late dinner on a Friday night and you can definitely tell that it was a Friday by how busy it was.  There was quite a bit of wait which allowed us to work up an appetite.

Pasta Line Viewed from Bar.

Bar in the back.

When you first walk in, you notice that it's a skinny and long space.  What appears to be a bar but is really dining that looks upon a chef/cook whipin' up some pasta dishes, runs along the right side of the restaurant. Pretty sweet to be in on the action.  You can see a row of white bowls ready to be filled with some pasta goodness.  A bench lines the left side of the room with close set tables and chairs on the opposite side.  Another row of tables resides between the bar and the tables along the wall.  As you go further back, you take a couple steps to a back bar and a couple low tables with ottoman type seats further back.  It's busy throughout the entire place and it is buzzing with conversation and music that is playing.  If you want to hear your guests, the close seating is necessary due the constant noise.  Overall, the ambiance is of a low lit lounge/cafe.  Christina commented that it reminder her of a space that you would find in Europe.

Tables Set up by the Bar.

We sat in the back waiting for our names to come up on the list.  We didn't order any beverages while we waited.  I, myself, was super hungry and didn't want to get tipsy on an empty stomach.   The wait actually got long enough that we started to get up to check with the hostess and of course, as we did so, the hostess was walking back and calling our name... always happens.  Should have gotten up sooner, right?  The hostess sat us at a table along the bench.  I guess a small container of olive oil broke close to or at our table because you can feel how slick the floor was and someone was just finishing up the wipe down right before we got there.  If it weren't so cramped there, I could have rocked a sweet moonwalk along the floor since it was so slick. Maybe next time...  I would recommend that you take caution when going to sit on the bench as there are low hanging lights that many a restaurant go'er hit their head on.  It was entertaining to watch... of course, that's only if you weren't one of the patrons that did so.

Pinot Grigio.

Our server was quite nice.  She asked us if we wanted to beverage to start and provided us with the specials for the evening.  I ordered a pinot grigio, not quite sure on what kind it was, they only had one option and Christina ordered a seltzer water, her drink of choice.   Always nice to have a DD (designated driver) right?  Right.  As always, I was hassled for my ID.  Let's get real, I've been carded twice to go shopping at the mall after a certain time (at the malls in the Milwaukee area, you need to be 18 years old to shop after 3pm on the weekends unless you have parental guidance).    With our beverages, we were served some warm bread to dip in some olive oil.

There is quite an assortment of Italian dishes on the menu.  The menu is primarily pasta dishes which includes those that are traditional, special to the restaurant or a "pick your own" type of set up where you can choose the pasta, sauce and mix ins.  There are also a list of various sandwiches, antipastos (appetizers) and salads.    On the menu, they boast using locally grown and raised ingredients.  Enough about what's on the menu, let's get to the goodness... the food of course.

Caprese salad.  Bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

Christina's Choices
Details: Starter (which I of course dove into as well) Caprese salad.  Roma tomatoes, fresh Wisconsin mozarella, basil with a olive oil and balsamic reduction. $7.00
Entree Spaghetti di Fruit di Mare. Calamari,scallops and shrimp in a tomato white wine sauce finished with cream.  $14.00

Spaghetti di Fruit di Mare.

Her thoughts:  The salad brought her past when growing up because she ate it all the time.  It was a nice ratio of tomato, cheese and greens.  The basil was interlaced with some arugula which cut down on the strong basil flavor.  We both agreed that we liked this little touch.  I myself can find that one of the two happens... one, there is too much basil that it overpowers the soft flavor of fresh mozzarella or, two, it ends up being just a tomato and cheese "salad."  When I have a salad, I want me some greens.  Unless, of course, it's a egg, tuna or chicken salad... now that's another story when it's for a sandwich, ya dig?  She enjoyed her pasta dish.  The calamari was a little much for her because of the quantity that was present and also the tentacles.  I've gotten over the tentacle fear and ate them right up.  Can't let good seafood go to waste.  I was struggling toward the end though because I was stuffed.

My Eats
Details: Ravioli.  Lobster ravioli in a garlic cream sauce.  $14.00

Ravioli.

My thoughts:  I'm typically not a ravioli person. I often deter from ordering this as sometimes I feel unsatisfied.  It might be the idea that everything is wrapped up in one thing and put together for me.  I think I like the act of eating various things on a plate and being able to mix and match bites and combine at my own will.... Who knows, might be the science side of me?  For the same reason, I usually will not order lasagna.  Although, I do like eating both, I rarely order them at a restaurant.  I'm sooooo glad I went against this.  The lobster ravioli was oh so tasty.  The cream sauce wasn't too heavy or overly garlic that I would be sweating garlic from my pores.  The ravioli were large and filling.  Presentation wasn't the best.  It was all globed in a bowl.  A green garnish perhaps?  But, the flavor outweighs the lack of visual appeal.  There was something in the ravioli that provided some texture.  I couldn't quite pin point it.  Was it a nut?  If so, it was softer.  A walnut perhaps? Or some short of veggie?  No idea.  But, overall, very satisfied with my choice.

Other things to consider:
-Street parking only but even on a Friday night, we were able to get a spot pretty darn close to the front door.  VIP status, even.
-Menu had vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.  Quite an equal opportunity restaurant.
-Service was nice but there was a bit of a wait which was expected for a Friday night but I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're already super hungry.

Ad on Back Tables.

-Tight set up.  Wouldn't be wheelchair or walker friendly but I'm thinking if it weren't so busy, they'd be able to shimmy some tables here and there.
-They offer their space for private parties or gatherings.  

This was an awesome first experience.  The wait to be seated was worth it.  I would probably go back and try out sitting at the bar so that I could watch the cook/chef make all the delicious dishes.  That may have to be something I do with someone who is in the mood to do the same as I'm sure I wouldn't be paying much attention to the conversion.  And, if I was, it most likely be conversation that goes in the lines of "What was that? How'd they do that? How long did they cook that for? etc."

Centro Cafe

808 E Center St

Milwaukee, WI 53212

(414) 455-3751

www.centrocaferiverwest.com

OPEN

Monday - Thursday 5-9pm

Friday/Saturday 5-10pm

Sunday: closed "for football"

Sunday available for rental.

6.18.11 Brunch. Trocadero Gastrobar (Lower East Side. Milwaukee, WI)

Entrance of the building.  from ztrocadero.com

It was a great summer weekend and the sun was shining.   Since he missed my birthday dinner and drinks, Jordan thought it would be a good idea to go to brunch.  So, Jordan, Phil, Laura and I decided to go to Trocadero since it’s one of our favorite brunch spots.  I biked over there to meet them around 11.  As I rode my bike over, I saw various different groups of people running in matching shirts.  Some sort of challenge was going on and later we found out it was the Great Milwaukee Race.  One of their challenges was to play a life sized game of jacks.  Pretty entertaining to watch.  People were intensely competitive.  My kind of people!  I decided that I will start training for it that day for the next one.  It looked like a lot of fun.

Since it was a nice day out, we decided to sit outside.  Just like any other  weekend morning, it was pretty packed.  But, we didn’t have a wait.  Trocadero has a great set up both inside and out.  On the inside, you will see that it has a nice European style charm to it, just like the other Diablo restaurants (Cafe Benelux, Cafe Centraal and Cafe Hollander).  There is a bar in the front entrance that you can immediately order on of their delicious bloody mary's or  a mimosa if there does happen to be a wait.  Between the inside dining area there is a, what I would call a “four seasons room type area.”  It’s as if it was part outdoor seating with heaters and four season type walls with large windows to them.  Then, it leads to the outside patio that’s fenced in from the sidewalk and has a nice little fountain to it.   The crowd tends to be quite mixed.  Groups in their 20s, parent’s with their adult children and sometimes the church crowd that come for some good eats after their church service.  Who doesn’t like to grub down after hearing about God?  I know I do.  

We weaved our way through all the tight knit tables on the patio and was sat at a cute little table close to one of the walls and just a table away from the fence.  It was nice and shaded so that we didn’t burn to a crisp in the sun.  Felt just right.   When the server came, she informed us of both food and drink specials for the day.  

Traditional Lime Mojito.

Glorioso's Bloody Mary Special and High Speed Wit Chaser.

Laura, Jordan and I ordered the special bloody Mary of the day which was the Glorioso’s bloody Mary.  For those of you that don’t know, Glorioso’s is a local Italian grocery store located on Brady which serves prepared meals, makes hot sandwiches to order,  serves desserts and provides a complete grocery for all your Italian needs.   The bloody Mary included garlic and basil infused vodka and Glorioso’s fixin’s.  The fixin’s included fresh mozzarella, lemon and lime, pepperoni and a sport pepper.  The bloody Mary’s, as they should in Milwaukee, come with a high speed wit chaser.  Jordan enjoyed the pepperoni, Laura liked the mozzarella ball.  I thought the pepperoni was a tad on the greasy side.  As I do with bloodies that come with bacon, I would probably remove it from the drink to minimize the congeal factor. Gross.   The bloody Mary wasn’t overpowered by garlic as we had anticipated it might be.   I thought it had a great tomato to vodka balance and not all that spicy.  Because of the lack of spice factor, I squeezed and submersed the pepper into the beverage to give it that extra kick.   Phil ordered a mojito.  He’s not a bloody kind of guy.  It included three limes along the rim and per Phil, it had a pretty smooth and neutral flavor.  Great summer drink. 

We looked at the menus for a bit before decided.  The menu tends to lean toward the southwest feel with items that come with black beans and pico de gallo.  Of course, they have standard brunch items like an all American type plate, omelets and pancakes.  But, all with a little troc flare to it.  Let’s get down to the real deal… the food. 

Mamacita Burger with frites.

We’ll go in order of the person to my left and then around the table.  Of course, we all know I like to be organized and structured that way.  So, here we go!

Phil

Details:   Mamacita Burger.  Burger cooked to order (medium well is what Phil chose), pico de gallo, queso fresco, avocado and garlic aioli.  Served with frites.  $13.00

His Thoughts:   The temperature looked to be perfect to me.  Nice and Pink.  Phil enjoyed the burger and said it was pretty tasty and juicy.  The fries, looked delicious and from past experience, I remember them to be pretty darn good.  They’re the cut that I usually enjoy… not too meaty. 

Jordan

Details: Spicy Black Bean Cakes. Hand-crafted bean cakes, poached eggs, queso fresco, salsa verde, pico de gallo.  $10.00

Spicy Black Bean Cakes

His Thoughts:  Jordan is a foodie like me.  We often talk about food a minimum of twice when we hang out.  No complaints here about that.  I can talk about food for hours.  But, on this day, Jordan had little to say about this dish.  He said he had no complaints but would probably put a spicier salsa on if he were to prepare it.  So, the spicy in the name is more so regarding spices that are used versus a heat factor.  Good thing to know for SPICE wimps. 

Quiche Lorraine with side of fruit.

Laura

Details:  Quiche Lorraine. Bacon, onion, and Gruyere cheese.  Served with a side of seasonal fruit. $9.00

Her Thoughts:  She thought it was good.  She really digs quiche in general and was in the mood for one that day. The quiche crust was the same as mine so you will see details regarding it in my thoughts below.  Never go wrong with the rosemary potatoes.  Are a nice addition to the quiche but creates a pretty hearty platter.  

My Food

Details: Veggie quiche of the day.  Veggie quiche that consisted of onion, artichoke, white cheddar and a sundried tomato pesto. Served with a side of rosemary potatoes. $9.00

Veggie Quiche of the Day with rosemary potatoes.

My Thoughts:  Amazing.  So flavorful at the first bite.  Definitely a kick of flavor in the mouth.  Nice blend of fillers for the quiche and the crust was nice and flaky but not dry. I do like when the crust is a flakier consistency and doesn't just crumble when you bring your knife or fork to it.  Nobody wants a crumbs with their egg goodness.  At least, I know I don't.  The top of the filler had a nice baked crusted finish to it and the pesto was primarily just placed on top and did not appear to be mixed into the quiche itself.  It was just the right amount of pesto.  This is especially important because pesto, in my opinion, can be a little overpowering in large amounts.   It was a hearty meal with the quiche and the potatoes so I was only able to eat half of both.  But, then again it could have been partially due to the bloody Mary and its fixin’s. 

Other things to consider:

-Street parking only.  Plan accordingly.  Bike!  Save the ozone.

-Large servings.  So, if you eat like a bird, find some kind person to split with you unless you are a leftover eater.

-Typically a wait for a table during the brunch time rush.

-Vegetarian and gluten intolerance options.

-Daily specials for both drink and food during brunch. 

-Outside seating not the most wheelchair friendly due to proximity of tables and the steps.  (I know, somewhat random but it is a tight squeeze and I’m a physical therapist by trade.)

Overall, this was another enjoyable experience at Troc.  Great weather added to the experience for sure.  The quiche is always a delight and filling so be ready to share of take home left overs.  The bloody Mary options are out of this world.  Try it out!

Trocadero Gastrobar

1758 N Water St

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 272-0205

www.ztrocadero.com

OPEN

Monday - Friday 8am-close

Saturday/Sunday 9am - close

6.12.11 Brunch. Comet Cafe (Lower East Side. Milwaukee, WI)

Sunday Funday!  I don't know if you are aware that I like, no, I LOVE brunch.  So, Maretes and I were due for some hang out one on one time.  We decided to hit up Comet... huge surprise right? I got there first and signed up for a table.  It was only about a 20 minute wait which was pretty darn good but, it was earlier for the Sunday Brunch crowd... 10am.  Remember, this is a "slow food" restaurant who prides themselves in good food from scratch, so don't expect a speedy in and out kinda joint. 

Bloody Mary with High Life Mini for the Chaser

Maretes was running late but placed an order with me to get her a bloody Mary with a chaser.  So, I ordered two bloody Marys with chasers and both with bacon.  The Server was very attentive and got me a drink right away despite the other person not being there.  I ordered mine spicy (SPICE alert.  not for spice wimps.  constant Tabasco heat to the back of your throat.)  When you order a bloody, they ask you with bacon or not.  If you've been following my blog, you've gotten the idea that I'm down with the bacon movement.  Please keep in mind, when you order a bloody with bacon, I recommend that you remove the bacon and either eat it immediately or put it to the side.  The bacon fat starts to congeal and it's not appetizing...unless you like a film of fat in your mouth.  Gross.  The other fixins in the bloody include pickled mushroom, pickled brussel sprout, lime, lemon, olive and bacon.  I don't like brussel sprouts but I do love me some pickled brussel sprouts that has been bathed in bloody Mary goodness.  The bloody Marys come with a cute mini high light life bottle.  Love it. 

Diner side.  Obtained from Yelp.com

Crowd is usually 20-30s typical east side crowd but also people from all around Milwaukee and people coming into town.  As noted in my last blog on Comet, the restaurant was shown on Diners, Drive ins and Dives so it brings in quite the foodie crowd sometimes.  There are two sides to the restaurant, the diner side and the bar side.  You can eat on both sides and can also eat at the counter and the bar. On nice days, there is also an option for sitting outside.  So many options.  It can get rather busy and you usually sign in on the sheet on the cafe side.  Next to the sign in sheet is their beautiful baked good display.  Great placement.  The cupcakes and pies always look delectable.  The servers and bartenders are usually very friendly.  On this visit, the server was very nice despite the place being pretty crowded as time went on that we were there.  There is usually some music playing can be from a wide variety of genres.

Due to my need to try something different every time I go to Comet (still have no doubled up on menu items...thank you very much), I ended up ordering an omelet.  Maretes was excited to be part of the blog and asked me what else I have not adventured to try on the brunch menu and so she ended up getting the meat and eggs. 

Maretes' Meal (I like alliteration.)

Details: Meat and Eggs.  Meatloaf covered with homemade sausage gravy, two eggs which she ordered over easy and covered with cheddar, hash-browns and asked for onions added to it, and chose cinnamon toast. $11.00 (additional cost for her cheddar and cinnamon toast as well, I think, but I don't know how much.)

Meat and Eggs. Hashbrowns, Over Easy Eggs covered and Cinnamon Toast.

Maretes' thoughts:  Initially, she was surprised and disappointed when she noticed that the sauteed onions were in a little clump under the hashbrowns instead of mixed into them but when she tasted them with the hash-browns, they were so good.  She was happy and impressed with how fresh everything tasted.  The eggs were overcooked and not over-easy as she had ordered.  Possibly because they had to let the cheese melt onto them.  Cinnamon toast was made from scratch in her opinion and was oh so delicious.  Kind of like they took a piece of white toast and spread some butter on it and sprinkled cinnamon and sugar.  Their homemade gravy is creamy and full of flavor.  Large helping of meatloaf so come hungry.  Per the servers, it's made daily.  Let me tell you, this meal was comfort food in a nutshell.  It's like getting a hug from an all American Grandma.  Now, who wouldn't like that?

My go.

Details:   3 egg omelet with tomato, spinach and mozzarella, served with hashbrowns and I chose rye bread (I know, I've already been told that only old people eat rye but I love it!... Not just bread for a Ruben... a bread for all occasions.) $7.50 and $0.75 cents for an extra ingredient since the omelets come with a choice of two. 

3 Egg Omelet (tom, spin and moz).  Rye Toast and Hashbrowns

My thoughts:  The mozzarella tasted so good.  I really enjoy omelets with good fresh mozzarella.  It was melted just perfectly and maintained a good melted consistency versus hardening up.  The omelet, overall, was tasty but pretty simple.  Not something that really stands out but when you order something like this, you can't expect anything mind-blowing and unique right? Right.  It's an omelet that you can get at other places.  Hash-browns were made just how I like them.  I added a few shakes of Tabasco to my potatoes and it really brought them up a notch but that's my style.  Dig the spice.  Crispy and well done on the outside yet still soft on the inside.  The rye is unique, as stated in the past Comet blog, since it has a salted crust.  I love salt so this could be a turn off to those that don't enjoy it.  Just like with a salted pretzel, I'm thinking it could be rubbed off if someone doesn't dig it. 

Other things to consider:

-Since I had a bloody Mary, I was in need of some caffeine.  I was able to order a coffee to go.  BONUS was that I wasn't charged for it.  God, I love this place.

-Great service on this visit despite the crowd and how busy it gets.

-Able to get your meal how you want it... ie all Maretes' add ons and the option for vegan and vegetarian dishes.

-Parking can be terrible on the lower east side.  Maretes was struggling with this one. 

-Brunch menu is more extensive than their typical daily breakfast menu.  Brunch is served on both Saturday and Sunday.

Overall, this was a good visit.  You know I'll always come back here. Love this place to death.  Of course, there are some things I like more than others.  On this visit, my meal was average, the bloody was good as always and the company and service was fantastic. 

Comet Cafe

1947 N Farwell Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

(414) 273-7677

www.thecometcafe.com

OPEN

Monday - Thursday 10:30am-2am

Friday 10:30am - 2:30am

Saturday 9am - 230am

Sunday 9am - 2am

Food service ends at 10pm nightly

Happy Hour M-F 3:30 - 6:30pm

Daily Drink Specials start at 6:30pm

6.3.11 Dinner. Comet Cafe (Lower East Side. Milwaukee, WI)

It was a Friday after work and I needed a drink after a busy busy day.   I made some calls to see if anyone would join me for a beverage.  Ben was riding down by the lake and Jamie was just leaving for a run and said she'd meet up.  Oh yeah... my friends are kind of a big deal.   Getting in shape and here I am tempting them to come out and be gluttons.  Of course, we ended up going to Comet Cafe.    Ben and I met at Comet and Jamie then joined us after her run. 

It was such a nice day out that we decided to sit outside and there wasn't any wait since it was still before the dinner rush, around 5ish.  The outside seats at Comet are along the sidewalk and provide great people watching of  the diverse East Side.  As we sat outside, it did get a little breezy and sitting under the table umbrella made it a tad chilly but doable.  Inside, there were many tables available when we first got there but people did flow in at a steady pace.  Friday at Comet can get oh so busy.  Typically serves the typical East Side crowd but brings in all types of people... families, married couples, college students, etc.

I thought it'd be smart to fill you in and provide you  my history with Comet.  You'll notice that I may be less detailed about the restaurant because I've been to this establishment many times since moving to my current residency.  It was love at first sight.  I knew that this would be my Cheers bar from Cheers, my Max from Saved by the Bell, my Peach Pit from 90210... shall I go on?  Didn't think so.   I frequent this place often ut not often enough for everyone to know my name.  Getting there though.  During one of the first few times I went to Comet, I came up with a mission that I would not get any of the menu items twice until I've tried everything once.  I chose the mission and have stuck to it since July 2010.  If I'm motivated enough, I may get really gung ho and do a review of all the foods that I've had from their menu.  I guess only time will tell.  But, you take a quick glance at the menu and you'll notice all comfort food with an attitude.   Anyway, lets move on with the review. 

Front: Bell's Oberon Ale, Rear:  Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale

While waiting for Jamie, Ben and I ordered a drink.  Comet boasts a great beer list, frequently changing draft beers, wine and various classic and unique mixed drinks.  Ben and I took advantage of the Beermergency Happy Hour special of $1 off all taps (excluding those with an asterics).  They also have $1 bottles of old style.  This runs Monday through Friday, 3:30pm to 6:30pm.  Ben chose Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale.  I picked the Bells Oberon Ale (one of my favorite brews for summer).  I thought mine was oh so fresh and so clean clean.  Ben liked his.  I thought has had a slightly bitter aftertaste.

The server was one that we often had.  Ben actually went to school with him.  He is always friendly and helpful.  Jamie, and her oh so motivated self, eventually met up with us.  She passed on food and a beverage and just chose to re-hydrate with water... she was jealous of us I'm sure.  Let's get on to the food. Shall we?

Vegan Chili with Noodles

Ben's up
Details: Friday Fish Fry Everyday which includes hand-battered cod, fries, coleslaw, rye toast and tartar sauce.  Ben chose the vegan chili with noodles as his starter.  (Entrees come with choice of soup or salad.) $10

Friday Fish Fry Everyday

Ben's thoughts: Chili is thicker than a typical chili.  Has a little spice to it.  Nice tomato flavor.  Noodles are both on the bottom and top so it's distributed nicely.  Ben added Sriracha since he likes the spice.  Chili itself has a little bite though (from my personal point of view as I have had it in the past).  Ben often gets this as he's "always liked their chili."  Chili is hearty.  Fish itself was crispy on the outside yet not dry or overcooked.  Not greasy at all.  Tartar tasted homemade and a thinner consistency.   Nice manageable sized pieces of fish. Coleslaw is mayo based.  Nobody tasted it because Ben "doesn't get down on coleslaw"and I wasn't in the mood for it.  Rye bread comes has a salted crust and comes toasted.  Jamie chimed in as Ben was providing me his thoughts and stated that she thinks it's one of the best fish frys in town...kind of a big deal. 

Small House Salad with side of ranch

My turn
Details: Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich with small house salad with side of ranch instead of fries.  The sandwich came with tomato, lettuce and Hooks Creamery blue cheese sauce and served on a ciabatta bread.  $9 plus $1 for salad substitution.

Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich

My thoughts: First bite, oh so juicy.  So juicy that it's probably not a first date type of food.  Gets a tad messy.  Especially if you try to cut it.  I recommend that you keep it in one piece or ask for a sharper knife prior to tackling that challenge.  I failed at that. Thank God I took a picture before going all Machete on it.  Runny blue cheese sauce.  Strong blue cheese flavor.  Flavor warning... if you don't dig blue cheese, I wouldn't recommend this sandwich or ask to get it on the side.  Although, the delicious buffalo spice balances the blue cheese out.  The spice isn't too hot but definitely hits you in the back of the throat to the point that it makes you clear your throat after a few bites.  The ciabatta is where it's at.  Nice and soft and chewy and great flavor just like a ciabatta should be. Salad is a salad but will note that it is very fresh.  Ranch is to die for.  Cucumber'ish ranch.  Thinner consistency.   Always a good dipping sauce. 

Other factors to keep in mind:
-Slow food: don't anticipate fast service or a short wait during prime meal times.  This place prides itself in good quality food that sometimes takes time to prepare. They don't mess...  Most definitely worth the wait.
-Various daily specials for both food and drink. 
-Fish fry is everyday... not just Friday.
-Breakfast is served everyday until 3pm.  (does not include all the Brunch items though)
-Homemade cupcakes and pies.
-Great people watching!
-Friendly service.
-Bar side and diner side available.  Outside seating can only accommodate 3 to a table.

Do keep in mind that Comet is one of my all time favorite places in Milwaukee to go.  So, I'm sure this is somewhat biased... I'll definitely admit that.  But, it's pretty darn amazing.  They've even been visited by the awesome Guy Fieri from Triple D (Diners, Drive Ins and Dives) from the food network.  So, obviously it's worth your time then.  Well, I know I would go anywhere Guy has been.  Loves.  Catch the Triple D clip on YouTube!

Comet Cafe

1947 N Farwell Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

(414) 273-7677

www.thecometcafe.com

OPEN

Monday - Thursday 10:30am-2am

Friday 10:30am - 2:30am

Saturday 9am - 230am

Sunday 9am - 2am

Food service ends at 10pm nightly

Happy Hour M-F 3:30 - 6:30pm

Daily Drink Specials start at 6:30pm